Abuse
Abuse of waiting children includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect. The impact of abuse on a developing child has significant consequences. It compromises their sense of worth, their capacity for trust and relationships, their ability to regulate their behaviors and emotions, and causes deep feelings of guilt, confusion, fear and anxiety, anger and rage. There are wide variations in the degree of lasting impact abuse has on a child.

Attachment
Attachment can be defined as an affectionate and trusting relationship between people that endures through time and space and serves to join them emotionally. It is the ability of a person to form significant emotional connections with other people. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect, even when they are very young, may find it difficult to trust others enough to form significant emotional ties.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that affects a person's ability to concentrate and regulate their impulses. It impacts all areas of life: school, home, daycare, and play, as it is difficult for the child to "stay on task" for long periods of time. This disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity, is more frequent and more severe than developmentally appropriate, and interferes with social and academic functioning. It is sometimes controlled with medication, behavior modification, and diet and exercise.

Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse involves any interaction, contact or non-contact, between a child and any person (child or adult) in a power position in which the child is being used for the sexual stimulation of another person.

Drug Exposure in Utero
Cocaine or other drugs used during pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of damage to the child's nervous system. Children exposed prenatally to drugs may appear stiff and rigid, have prolonged and piercing crying episodes, and are easily over stimulated. The effects however are still uncertain at this time. Some children will continue to have behavior and learning difficulties and ADHD.

Underlying Emotional Issues
Many children who experience abuse, neglect, or separation from one or both parents, develop behavioral problems that do not respond to traditional parenting and teaching methods. These behavioral problems are the outward signs of underlying emotional problems involving attachment, control, identity, anger, etc. These issues need to be worked on and resolved in childhood and youth or they will adversely affect adult relationships, including relationships with a spouse and children.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal Alcohol Sprectrum Disorder is a condition that result from the mother consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Children have parts of their brains permanently damaged by the alcohol. They may have any number of other symptoms such as low birth weight, birth defects, learning disabilities, short term memory problems, and difficulties with cause and effect and linear thinking.

Learning Disabilities
Some children find learning in regular classrooms difficult. Children with learning disabilities may have average or above average intelligence, but have difficulty learning, sorting and storing information. Special classes may be recommended at school to help these children achieve their academic potential.

Neglect
Neglect is the lack of provision, on the part of the parents, to meet the child's basic needs (food, clothing, shelter), safety, developmental, social, spiritual, educational, emotional and medical.